Jake Gyllenhaal does everything right

Personal life stays private
Gyllenhaal has also been clever where his personal life is concerned, revealing just enough to keep fansites abuzz and not so much that he reaches a saturation point or gets his fans overly invested in one fling or another. He had a reported dalliance with Kirsten Dunst, but there’s just enough ambiguity to his sexuality to keep audiences guessing and bloggers blathering.

Though he’s publicly claimed heterosexuality, he’s said that “it’s flattering when there’s a rumor that says I’m bisexual” and that “I’ve never really been attracted to men sexually, but I don’t think I would be afraid of it if it happened.” Is it any surprise that that kind of a non-denial denial, coupled with his fearlessness in “Brokeback Mountain,” spawns rampant rumors?

Furthermore, he’s managed to avoid any and all controversial political statements that might alienate audiences. It might be partly that he’s learned from his sister’s mistakes — back in ’05, Maggie made some comments about possible American culpability for the events of 9/11 that led to public outcry and her widespread condemnation — but it’s still impressive, considering that he hasn’t shied away from political material (cases in point: “Jarhead” and the upcoming “Rendition,” which concerns a U.S. detention center).

Yet even though he’s held his tongue, Jake has done just enough acting out to maintain a little bit of a bad-boy aura, but not enough to really get in trouble.

Take his exuberant, likely alcohol-induced insistence on mugging for the camera at an Oscars pre-party last year (do another quick Google search for “Jake Gyllenhaal Oscars 2006” and you’ll find the shots). They’re silly, he’s making a fool of himself, but … they’re kinda endearing and sweet at the same time.

It’s this fine line that the actor has managed to walk so successfully to date. Regardless of whether it’s Gyllenhaal’s own astuteness that has allowed him to safely navigate Hollywood’s treacherous depths, or the string-pulling of an elite team of super-managers, it seems certain that we won’t see the actor on “The Surreal Life” or in rehab anytime soon. And thank the deities for that.

Patrick Enright is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in MSNBC.com, Mr. Showbiz, Wall of Sound, Movies.com and Seattle Weekly.

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